This qualification is for international and domestic students that wish to add to their undergraduate degree in IT, computer science, or information systems and gain both technical and managerial knowledge and skills that relate to IT security management in an organisation. The graduate will have the ability to lead teams of technology professionals in order to achieve IT security using a variety of tools including developing policy that aligns with the law and enterprise mission, and including technology that balances cost and benefit. They will be equipped with the skills and foresight to be able to anticipate future trends in cyber attacking and IT security risks. They will possess the ability to quickly adapt and innovate to meet threats and protect IT assets. Graduates will work skilfully, productively and professionally at all organisational levels whether in general management, operations and IT management, or as contract consultants. Graduates will be prepared for independent research and future scholarship should they elect to study at a higher level.

The graduate of the Postgraduate Diploma in IT Security Management will be able to:
1. Test and assess the security of an organisation's IT systems and user data and analyse and manage IT security breach incidents
2. Assess and mitigate IT security risks for organisations
3. Design an IT security validation programme and plan and implement an IT audit for an organisation
4. Integrate IT best practice into the corporate governance of an organisation and align IT security strategies with organisational missions, goals and strategies
5. Critically analyse IT security project management and processes, and plan and initiate IT security projects
6. Source, interpret, evaluate and utilise data and information for research into IT security management and plan a research project in IT security management
7. Review laws and regulations from a range of jurisdictions that are relevant to IT security management and compliance implications for a range of organisations and assess an organisation's compliance with relevant laws and regulations related to IT security management
8. Use tools and methodologies to manage IT security that comply with relevant laws, regulations and organisational policies, meet business operational requirements and to determine appropriate IT risk-treatment options for an organisation

The Postgraduate Diploma in IT Security Management provides a pathway to higher level postgraduate study such as a master's degree in IT security or other information technology fields.

Applicants must have:
An undergraduate degree in any discipline related to IT, computer science, or information systems from a New Zealand tertiary institution accredited to offer those qualifications at that level or a degree in one of these disciplines from a foreign tertiary institution deemed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to be of equivalent standing.

All applicants must have a level of English sufficient to be able to study at this level. Those students whose first language is not English must have:
An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall academic score of at least 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each band) issued within the last two years, or equivalent.

In exceptional circumstances an applicant who does not meet the academic requirements may be granted entry to the Programme. They must supply evidence (e.g. professional certifications and relevant work experience documents) to satisfy the HOD or a delegate of their ability to succeed on the Postgraduate Diploma in IT Security Management Programme.

It is strongly recommended that applicants have some experience working in an IT-related position.